Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP)

Located at the Illinois Department of Commerce, the SBEAP provides free confidential information and services to help small businesses understand and comply with their environmental obligations.

• Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP Brochure)
• Illinois Compliance Advisory Panel (CAP)
• ​How Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs Make a Difference

For businesses who hold an operating permit with the Illinois EPA Bureau of Air, Annual Emissions Reports (AER) are due by May 1.  Around February 1 of each year, the Illinois EPA will send you the necessary forms. Further information and an FAQ are on IEPA’s website.  Questions about AERs should be directed to EPA.AERQuestions@illinois.gov.  Be sure to include your name, phone number, email address, the ID number of the source in question, and a detailed description of your problem or question.  Response time depends on the volume of questions at a particular time, so please be patient.

Note:  Those sources holding a Registration of Small Source (ROSS) in lieu of an operating permit are not required to submit an AER.

• Air Permits
• Information About Clients We Serve
• Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS)
• Environmental Regulations
• National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants​ (NESHAP)​
• Environmental Consultants Directory
• Annual Emission Reporting and Emission Calculation Resources
• Waste

• Aggregate Facilities
• Asbestos
• Auto Repair
• Boilers
• Burning
• Coating
• Chrome Electroplating
• ​​Construction & Demolition
• Dry Cleaners
• ​Easy-to-read fact sheets and guides
• Emission Calculators
• Fire Fighters
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Gas Dispensing Facilities
• Grain Handling Operations​
• Lead
• Links to Other Environmental Resources​
• Managing Waste
• Metal Refinishing
• Misc. Paint Stripping and Surface Coating
• Mold
• Printers
• Radon
• Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE)
• Salvage Yards
• ​Small Business Voluntary Self Disclosure
• Solvents
• Storm Water
• Training and Workshops

Local units of government may have applicable environmental regulations in addition to those at the state and federal level.  You may want to check with your local municipality or county offices, including the Public Health Department, building and zoning office, and local water treatment facility for applicable regulations and requirements for your business type. 

• Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability
• Chicago Department of Public Health
• Local Health Departments

For free confidential help with your environmental questions, contact the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 800.252.3998 or by e-mail at dceo.sbeap@illinois.gov